Congresswoman Maxine Waters (right) chats with members of the Housing Authority

The Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) welcomed Congresswoman Maxine Waters recently to the Harbor Hills Public Housing Development (Harbor Hills), located in the city of Lomita and California’s newly-created 43rd Congressional District.

Completed in 1941, Harbor Hills consists of 301 public housing units. After participating in a round-table discussion with HACoLA staff and the Sheriffs’ Department Community Policing staff, the congresswoman took a tour of the site’s Family Learning Center, childcare center, and gymnasium. She then met with the residents at a town hall organized by Jewel Bumpers, vice president of the Harbor Hills resident council. During this time, Waters stressed the importance of resident councils, civic engagement, and community relationships; and encouraged residents to attend meetings of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, sit on advisory boards, and hold voter registration drives in the community.

“Congresswoman Waters continues to be one of the strongest voices for public housing in Congress, and our residents were both eager and enthusiastic about her visit and participation in their regularly scheduled Town Hall Meeting,” said HACoLA executive director Sean Rogan.

Aside from providing housing units, Harbor Hills has innovative programs and services designed to improve the quality of life for residents and enable them to attain self-sufficiency. Harbor Hills offers the Family Self- Sufficiency Program, computer training and homework assistance, English as a Second Language, employment opportunities, case management, and drug prevention/intervention programs.